Good Morning Ladies!

Well, I had a .8 lb loss this week. Not as big a loss as the week before but still going in the right direction! I want to go buy some new school clothes but I think I will wait a little bit longer. Clothes that I bought at the beginning of the summer are now too big for me. :D My classroom is almost ready. It took me 3 days to put up my bulletin boards! My new classroom has a lot more bulletin board space and I hate spending the time doing them. :( Now I have to get prepared for my two presentations I am doing next Tuesday. :dizzy: My sister is mending well but is now taking care of her son. He has a cast on his arm and leg and is pretty much bandaged up from head to toe. I am very angry at him and feel like "banging him up" some more!

Don't have time this morning to write more. I have to get back to school to finish up. Hope you all have a great OP Thursday!

Beth

Beth, way to go on the .8 loss! That's great. And how wonderful that your early-summer clothes are now too big! Wow, three bulletin boards already done; I feel like a slacker! Still have stuff in boxes all over my room, and just have two weeks until the kids come. (One week 'til faculty comes back, and the room will have to be semi-ready by then.) Glad that your sister is doing ok; wish she didn't have to deal with her son's accident. Is he already out of the hospital?

Carol, I'm sorry to hear you'll have to have the biopsy done, and travel so far too; I hope they'll schedule it very soon, though, so you can get all this behind you. Will you get to rest up this weekend a little? Thanks for your concern about Dad (you too, Texaslady!). I'm sure he'll get through this just fine, as he has in the past; I'm just glad he has such a good doctor. Re: your friend, the nurse, I'm amazed that she still suntans; maybe she hasn't seen those ultraviolet photos of skin damage, or met a patient with skin cancer? An hour in Dr. D's waiting room would make anyone resolve to wear sunscreen, the higher spf the better ...

Texaslady, I think long trains are so romantic; I'll bet she looks stunning! Will you post some pics for us after the wedding? Sorry to hear your folks had problems with skin cancer too; I wonder if Texas has a higher incidence of that? Seems like we would.

JOYce, any word on your carpet yet? I think it's very wise of your dh to wear a big hat, even if dgd laughs at it! Can't wait to meet y'all in NO next month!

Gotta run ... everyone have a great Thursday!
Jan

Sure is quiet in here! Hope everyone's having a great op weekend...

Dad's skin cancer surgery went just fine; took all day, but they got it all.

Carol, hope you are getting a chance to rest this weekend! How's the back, and the leg?

Janet, haven't heard from you in a while; hope all is ok. How is your friend doing? Did you and your dd have a good vacation?

Saara, are you on your way? Let us know what your school calendar looks like; we've *got* to figure out a way to get together while you're in the states!

Regards,
Jan

Hi everyone! This sure has been a quiet thread this weekend!
Beth, congrats on the .8 loss, and even more on having the clothes you bought early in the summer being too big now!I'm glad your sister is doing well. I assume from what you said about her caring for her son that they didn't get him into rehab? If so, that's too bad- it sounds like he needs it badly!
Jan, I'm relieved that your dad's surgery was so successful, even though it was a long procedure for him. Was it done out patient, or did they decide to keep him overnight? Please give hime my best wishes for a speedy recovery. My HMO has approved my surgery in Baltimore- now all I need to do is get it scheduled! It will probably be another 2 weeks, unfortunately :(- the surgeon is out of town the week of Aug 13, and he's booked pretty tight this coming week. So the waiting continues. The back and leg are not being too cooperative right now, but this too shall pass! As long as I don't stand, sit or walk it's fine! :rolleyes: Too bad that's not an option!:lol:

I worked this morning, then watched the little guy all afternoon while dd and dsil went out to dinner and a movie. Poor little guy threw up- all over me, the sofa and the carpet- then as I was washing the stuff I could afterwards, the washer overflowed, giving me a horrendous cleanup! Welcome to non-solitary living, Carol!!:lol: DD only ate half her entree (filet mignon), and brought the rest home- so I had it for my dinner! Tomorrow I really should try to take it easy, but I do want to get through the boxes that are still in the garage waiting for a disposition. That shouldn't take too long, hopefully.

Well, gotta run- hi to all, and have a good rest of the weekend!
Carol

Hi!
I'm still here in Finland. One more week, and I'm on my way. I'm leaving next Sunday, early in the morning, and will arrive at LAX in the afternoon. I'll spend a night there and continue to SLC next morning. I'll get to see my American grandparents, but my hostmom and sis will come to visit me in SLC later. At least that's the plan for now.

It seems that I will have Fridays off this semester, so we'll have to see when we could all get together. I'll have to see if I'm able to get some planetickets from my hostsis (she works at an airline). Once I get settled in SLC I'm gonna start making plans for some trips...

Well, I'm still taking an exam on Tuesday, so I'd better go and study. I still have a bit more packing to do, but I did manage to fit everything into the storage room, so I didn't have to divide my stuff to 2 or 3 different places. What a relief!

Now i'm dreming about fitting all my stuff into one suitcase... I figured it would be better since I know I'll have twice as much when I come back... I decided not to take winterclothes with me, I figured I can always buy some. It's weird to have to think about winterclothes during the summer anyways.

Gotta go. I hope you're all having a wonderful Sunday! Saara.

Saara - You are so right! Thinking about winter clothes on a day like we had here in Texas today IS weird! It's so hot and dry - and has been since early June. My lawn is drying out so bad - I try to water but that just isn't the same as getting a good rain. Looks like we aren't even going to get any rain out of the latest tropical storm - I had hoped for a little. Only a week left - that's so exciting. You mentioned your American grandparents - are they really your grandparents or are they related to your host family? Glad you got all your stuff packed & into the storage area.

Carol - Are you unpacked yet? I know you were supposed to rest today, but I would bet a bundle that you didn't. I KNEW you were going to mess up your back & legs with all this - gosh, you don't listen to me! Are you sure you are not related to my dd? :lol: I am thrilled you got your HMO to cooperate so quickly! I know the waiting is just awful, but doesn't look like you have much of a choice. AT least its not a six months wait!

Jan - Glad to hear your Dad is doing OK. It took all day? Gosh, it must have been pretty deep. I hope he is healing OK. That's so traumatic. But his spirit is amazing! I bet not much keeps him down too long!

Beth - Way to go with that good loss this week! Isn't it a good feeling to get your school clothes out and find they are too big! What a change from being too small! Makes you feel like you are really accomplishing something.

I spent all week-end on wedding stuff. DD and her matron of honor came over Sat early and got all the invitations stuffed and stamped. Then they painted the pots for the centerpieces. After they left I cut out the rose petal holders and today made bows for the little cones holding the petals and glueing them on. I am also trying to get the basket decorated that will hold them. Also went through wedding stuff in dd's old bedroom to find out what was in them! We have been buying wedding stuff for so long I had forgotten what was in all those sacks and boxes. Now I have an inventory! So I never even ventured out except this morning to purchase some double sided tape! All the parking lots I passed were just filled with cars. This tax-free week-end sure brought out the shoppers. Another reason I stayed out of the stores this week-end!! For those of you not in Texas, the government doesn't collect taxes for school clothes and supplies under $100. Not really a big savings, but it sure makes people get out and shop.

Gotta go and get myself together for tomorrow. Have a great week - this week-end was WAY to short!

Janet - Where ARE you!!!!!!!?????

Good morning everyone! How can it be Monday already???
My poor little sweetie's been sick. Saturday night he was so congested (or had an ear thing going on, we don't know which) that he couldn't even lie down. DD finally got him to sleep sitting up with him in a chair about 11:30. I took over about 2, and he slept on my lap till about 6. He seemed much better yesterday, and slept well last night, but she's going to run him in to the doctor this morning anyway. He's always such a good little guy- I hate to see him feeling so sick.
Saara, you must be getting so excited!! How long is the flight from Finland to LA? What classes will you be taking? It's nice that you'll have Fridays off. Good luck on you exam Tuesday!
Texaslady, yup- I really should've listened to you- it's that stubborn Polish side of me! :lol: I did a little more unpacking yesterday, but nothing strenuous. It sounds like you all are really organized and ready to go on the wedding!I know you said once, but I've forgotten- what color are the bridesmaids' dresses?I did get a response to an email I sent Janet, so she is alive and well- and busy!:D We have the tax free week here in MD fom 8/10-8/16. Sounds like a good time to stay away from the mall to me!!
Jan, how's your dad feeling?
Janet,Joyce,Rebecca, Linda, Beth, Merri, Liz, Stamps, Kendra, Patti (who'd I miss???)- hope you had a good weekend.
Work calls- I'd better get it together. Have a good op Monday, everyone!
Carol

Hi again!

Texaslady, my american grandparents are actually related to my hostfamily, but since none of my 'real' grandparents are alive, I just feel like these ones are as real as they would be if they were actually related to me. I don't know if this makes any sense, but I have this special relationship w/ my host family, and they truly are a family to me.

Carol, I think it takes about 18 hours to get from Helsinki to LA, but I will have about 3 hour wait in between in Munich. All together I'll be traveling at least 24 hours.
About my classes, I still might change some of them, but for now it seem that I'll be taking a few Ethnic Studies classes, and a few political science ones, for example American Foreign Policy...

Well, I'd better go again. Read this stupid book for the exam. i don't know why I always leave everything for the last minute, I should've learned by now how frustrating this is.

Have a good week!!! Saara.

Carol, so sorry to hear your little darlin' has been sick; glad he's starting to feel better. I hope it didn't hurt your back to hold him all those hours, though! Glad to hear that your HMO has approved the biopsy, too; hope they can schedule it soon.

Texaslady and Carol, re: Dad, thanks, he's doing really well; I passed along your greetings! The procedure was out-patient, but between each procedure they ran tests on what they'd removed, until it all came back negative. (That's why it took all day.) He's going back tomorrow to get his stitches out.

Texaslady, I agree, the malls were the last place I'd have gone this weekend! Wow, sounds like y'all were really busy with the wedding decorations this weekend; sure hope we get to see a picture of them, I know they're gorgeous!

Saara, 24 hours, wow; that's quite a long trip. Ah, but you're young and full of energy; it'll be a snap! Good luck on your test tomorrow. I know *just* what you mean about waiting til the last minute; I did that with virtually every paper I wrote in college, and each time vowed to start earlier. Oh well! Maybe the stress of doing things under pressure actually helps us concentrate better? Have a great trip!

Regards,
Jan

Hi girls! As I sit here, I hear the sound of thunder in the distance. I don't suppose I could be lucky enough to have a few drops of rain on my parched lawn!!?? Sounds like its coming from dd's part of town - hopefully she got some of the wet stuff.

Carol - Sorry your baby has been sick. Hope he's feeling up to snuff now. I KNOW that wasn't good for your back to sit there and hold him for hours. But I also know you couldn't do anything else! :) Per wedding, bridesmaids are wearing black velvet off-the-shoulder tops w/a medium blue a-line skirt.

Saara - I surely don't envy you that flight! Your body clock is going to be so mixed up for a while! When did you tell us classes start?

Jan - Ready for school? I know you are thrilled about teaching again. I suppose since your town is small that everyone is aware of your tremendous weight loss. If not, boy, are they going to be surprised! How's your Dad doing since the stitches came out?

Glad Janet is doing OK. I miss her here on the thread. I figured she was busy getting her dd ready for college. Maybe she will check in again soon. I can sure identify with the "busy" part. The days are passing so quickly since I took this new job that I can hardly believe I have been there a month already.

Take care everyone. Will sign off & do my rain dance to entice the rain this way! :spin:

Hi ladies! Boy, is it hot here! I think we have some of that Texas heat! The temperature was near 100 today, and is supposed to be the same for the next 2-3 days. And the air quality is the pits!
My little sweetie is doing much better. DD has an appt for the ENT doctor with him on Thursday to make sure the tubes are ok since his one ear is infected. He did manage to share his germs with his daddy and me, of course. I've had a pretty nasty cold with a fever for the past couple days- I actually sound worse than I feel. DSIL's seems to be resolving more quickly.
Still no word from the surgeon :(. Irritating as the :devil: , but nothing I can do about it. I have to keep leaving messages because my schedule varies from dayto day, both by time and location. Oh well- enough about me.
Jan, I'm glad your dad is doing so well. It sounds like he has a wonderful, thorough doctor, which must put your mind at ease when he goes through these things! Are you about ready for school to start? How are you feeling? Make sure you continue to get adequate rest!
Saara, I don't envy you that lengthy flight!! It doesn't sound like you are a nervous flier, though, which is good! Looks like things are all coming together for you! I hope you'll get a chance to post pretty regularly- we'll all be anxious to hear how everything is going with your new venture!
Texaslady, I remember you mentioning the bridesmaids' dress colors now! It's that CRS syndrome again!:lol: Hope you get some rain soon. We've been pretty lucky this summer, but it's been awfully dry the past few days with all this heat!
Janet, my friend, where are you??? Don't forget us, now!
I won't drag this out today- have a good evening, everyone, and a good op Wednesday!
Carol :wave:

HEY! WHERE IS EVERYBODY????
Carol

Here I am, Carol! See me?? :wave: :wave:

I really was just going to sneak a peek and call it a night, but I had to stop by for a few minutes after seeing Carol's last post.:smug:

Carol - Sorry you have managed to catch grandbaby's cold! A summer cold in the absolute pitts. We have been hearing about the heat wave in the east on the national news. Sorry you are having to deal with that - we sure had one last summer. This year hasn't been nearly as bad. We haven't even had too many ozone warnings - at least not as many as last summer. You stay on that surgeon, though. A squeaky wheel gets the ----- well, you know! Let us know what you find out.

And I'll have you know that about 30 minutes after I did my rain dance, we got a really good soaking for about an hour! Quite the little storm - but so welcomed! My grass looks so happy today!

I will close up for now and get myself to bed. My eyes are sagging as I type this. Everyone have a great "day before Firday" and check in when you can.

Hi Carol! I hope your cold is getting better by now; glad to hear that your sweetie is doing so much better, though. Hope his appointment went well today! Re: school, I'm really looking forward to it; am trying to straighten up my lab/classroom ahead of time, coming in a few hours each day. I feel so much better, almost back to my old self! I hear you're due for some relief from all this heat in the coming weekend; can't believe how long it has lasted for y'all!

Texaslady, so glad you got some rain finally; we got a whole quarter inch here, darn it. It's so wonderful that you're enjoying your new job so much! It's amazing how fast time goes when we're busy and enjoying the work. Is the shorter lunch "hour" working out as planned? And have you found your shoes yet? Thanks for the encouragement re: surprising folks, but you're right, in this small town everyone already knows. I'll at least have a new "look" with my slightly dressier new clothes, lighter/shorter hair, and the 10 lbs or so I lost over the summer. And thanks, Dad is doing great!

Someone in our group recommended the movie Traffic when I asked for titles; want to thank you. We finally rented it last night, and it was terrific! Also saw Finding Forrester, which we enjoyed. DH and I are trying to combat our late-night munchies by going upstairs asap after dinner and watching videos or working on the computer. So far so good! He's lost a couple of pounds over the last few weeks; slow, but at least it's progress. My next goal is to get into the 140's. I think 142 would be a good personal goal, though my WW goal was 155. I chose the high end so I could get lifetime status sooner. (Just a couple more weeks to go on that.)

Hope everyone is doing well. This is a busy time for everyone, I think, not just us teachers. Anyone want to share some tips/techniques you use to stay OP when your schedule is hectic?

Hi to Saara, Janet, Joyce, Rebecca, Linda, Beth, Merri, Liz, Stamps, Kendra, & Patti! Stop by when you get a chance...
Regards,
Jan

Update
 

Just a quick note- I am having my biopsy tomorrow morning- they had a cancellation. Hold the good thought for me, ladies!
Carol